“I have just returned from the school dance and lived to tell the tale.”

From Aaron Reynolds’ The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter: Narwhal I’m Around.

Ever since his minor neglect resulted in the accidental death of his pet chicken Drumstick, Rex Dexter has been plagued by recently-dead animals that are unable to leave this world until those responsible for their deaths have been brought to justice. While Rex is the only one able to see, hear, and feel the ghostly animals, he’s managed to convince his best friend Darvish that he’s telling the truth about his curse. While Rex and Darvish don’t always see eye to eye, especially when Darvish insists on using facts and science, Rex tries to be a good friend… even if it means joining Darvish to play the world’s most ridiculous game: Monsters & Mayhem. Unfortunately, Rex has a moment of panic in the game and Darvish is kicked out of the game and blames Rex. While trying to give Darvish time to calm down, Rex is surprised to find a narwhal names Wally and a whale shark name Tiny show up with traumatic memories of their untimely ends. Rex convinces Darvish to help him solve the animal murders and the two soon realize that the evidence is pointing to billionaire Trinity Bellingham, so the boys launch a plan to get close to her son Dimitri in order to find the truth.

This hilarious fantasy novel offers a quick and easy adventure that will again captivate readers. Similar in tone to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure books, young readers will find themselves easily drawn to the story. Narwhal I’m Around is a fun read that will keep readers captivated until the very end.